AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WILD MAN NAMED SAUL – PART II SERIES: PEOPLE JESUS MET

I. The Background of Saul, the Terrorist

I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law and was zealous toward God as you all are today.   Acts 22:3 (NKJV)

Paul was circumcised on the eighth day Paul was circumcised on the eighth day. He had a Greek father, his name “Saul” was in honor of the first king of Israel, who came from the tribe of Benjamin (Acts 16:3; Philippians 3:5).  

Paul was a Jew, and he also had Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28).

II. The Brutality of Saul, the Terrorist

Saul’s evil cannot be over-estimated Saul’s evil cannot be over-estimated. Saul was the greatest enemy that Christianity had, but he turned into the greatest friend that Christianity had.

Eleven different persecutions Saul conducted against the church:

Assisting (Acts 7:58)

Consenting (Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20)

  Destroying (Acts 8:3)

 Intruding (Acts 8:3)

  Dragging (Acts 8:3)

Imprisoning (Acts 8:3)

Threatening (Acts 9:1)

Killing (Acts 9:1)

 Binding (Acts 9:2)

 Persecuting (Acts 9:4)

Raging (Acts 26:11)

III. The Establishment of Saul’s Conversion

A. Ananias received an assignment from God

Three strong traits we are told about Ananias:

 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him, the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias”. And he said, "Here I am, Lord.”

    11So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

    12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him so that he might receive his sight.“ Acts 9:10-12 (NKJV)  

1. He was a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:10)

2. He was a devout man of the law (Acts 22:12)

3. He was a distinguished man among the Jews (Acts 22:12)

B. Ananias’ recognizable anxiety from the assignment

IV. The Effects of Saul’s Conversion

  A. Saul discovered a new friend   And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,

  who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.“ Acts 9:17 (NKJV)

  B. Saul discovered a new family   Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once, and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:18 (NKJV)

  C. Saul discovered a new fellowship   So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Acts 9:19 (NKJV)

  D. Saul discovered a new faith   Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?“

22But Saul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:20-22

E. Saul discovered a new fight   Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

25Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. Acts 9:23-25 (NKJV)

F. Saul discovered another new friend   And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him,

and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:26-27 (NKJV)

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WILD MAN NAMED SAUL – PART II SERIES: PEOPLE JESUS MET